Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

199. To ask the Minister for Finance if thatched cottages will be exempt from the property tax in view of the amount of work that goes into maintaining the thatch annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2406/13]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There is no specific exemption from the Local Property Tax for thatched cottages. The inter-Departmental Group chaired by Dr Don Thornhill on the design of a property tax (the “Thornhill Group”) considered that the local property tax should be centred on the principles of equity, transparency and simplicity. In terms of these principles, it was also considered that a universal liability should apply to all owners of residential property with a limited number of exemptions so a relatively low rate of tax could be maintained. The Government agreed with this recommendation of the Thornhill Group.

I am informed by my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, that his Department operates a grant scheme for the renewal or repair of thatched roofs. A grant of up to €3,810 or two thirds of the approved cost, whichever is the lesser, may be payable in respect of necessary works to renew or repair the thatched roofs of houses. It is a condition of the grant scheme, which was introduced in 2001, that the house is occupied as the applicant’s normal place of residence on completion of the approved works.